December 29th, 2008
Sometimes parents tell me that they don’t brush their baby’s or child’s teeth and don’t worry about cavities because “they are just going to loose them anyway” !!
Baby teeth serve important purposes such as helping the child to speak normal and clear, and to chew naturally. Baby teeth also hold a place for permanent teeth to come in properly. Children with cavities eat poorly, stop smiling, and don’t learn properly. Tooth decay is an infection that does not heal without treatment. If cavities are not treated, children can develop infections severe enough to require emergency room treatment and their adult teeth may be permanently damaged.
Posted in Children's Teeth, Oral Hygiene | Comments Off
December 28th, 2008
Kids begin to loose their baby teeth around the age of 6. There are usually 20 baby teeth. That’s quite a few teeth for the Tooth Fairy to come for!
The first teeth to be lost are usually the central incisors. This is then followed by the eruption of the first permanent molars. The last baby tooth is usually lost around the age of 12, and is the cuspid or second molar.
Tags: baby teeth, lost tooth
Posted in Children's Teeth | 2 Comments »
December 28th, 2008
The Tooth Fairy used to give only one dollar. Now it’s at least two. But the teeth have to be clean! Teeth left under the pillow that are exceptionally shinyand have been noticeably cared for with good tooth brushing and floss deserve much more. Sometimes special gifts are warranted. Maybe even a specially desired for toy. We’ll see.
Tags: baby teeth, lost tooth, tooth fairy
Posted in Children's Teeth, Tooth Fairy Talk | 3 Comments »
December 28th, 2008
It is important to note that the eruption time varies from one child to another. Around the ages of two to three years old, primary teeth should all have erupted.
UPPER
A - Central Incisors - 8-13 months
B - Lateral Incisors - 8-13 months
C - Canines (cuspids) -16-23 months
D - First Molars - 13-19 months
E - Second Molars - 25-33 months
LOWER
A - Central Incisors - 6-10 months
B - Lateral Incisors - 10-16 months
C - Canines (cuspids) - 16-23 months
D - First Molars - 13-19 months
E - Second Molars - 23-31 months
Tags: baby teeth, tooth eruption
Posted in Children's Teeth | 2 Comments »
December 28th, 2008
The primary bacteria in dental plaque is Streptococcus mutans
Plaque is a bio-film of bacteria and mucous that grows on your teeth. Some of the bacteria in the plaque make acids which decay your teeth. Other kinds of bacteria in the plaque make toxins which cause gum disease. The easiest and most effective way to remove the plaque from your teeth is to brush and floss. Those costly rinses just don’t do it! When the plaque is hardened on your teeth it is called tartar or calculus. Then you need a Dental Hygienist or Dentist to remove it by “scaling” the tartar off.
Tags: cavities, decay, Plaque, teeth cleaning, toothbrush
Posted in Oral Hygiene | No Comments »
